This year saw 16 of us going to Tenerife. Ian, Rob and James Samuel; Derek and Glynis Smith; Tony and Madeline Couchman; Clive Mills; David Muir; Paul Shelley; Peter Wragg; Jo Singer; Adam Hardy; Dave Young, John Togher and myself, Bone.
Weather was pretty good with the occasional showers near the end of the trip. Scenery was stunning, and the terrain quite tough. Hotel and food were excellent. We all managed to have a good variety of rides.
A couple of days before the end of the trip it snowed up on the top of Mount Teide. The next day saw two groups setting off in different directions. Without going into detail, what ensued turned out to be an epic for some. It saw different people in each group do different things. Some sensibly turned off one third up the mountain. But I was determined to head upwards and ended up at the top of a climb at 2000 meters, wet and cold.
After drying myself by a fire in the cafe, quaffing a hot drink and some food I stopped shivering. Then after looking at various WhatsApp messages it looked like the other group had bailed out from their route and was safely back at the hotel. I was expecting them to arrive at the same place but on receiving this information I decided to make my descent. Taking a paper tablecloth and folding it up to shove up my top, a couple of carrier bags for my hands I ventured outside.
The weather had cleared, so all looked good but after about 5 minutes it was raining again, and I was in trouble. With no shelter for 1000 meters, I was shaking so much it made it impossible to make any haste. After lots of stopping and extremely slow descending I decided to put the brakes on and pedal, just to get some sort of heat into my body. After some considerable time I arrived at a cafe that was at about 1000 meters, so halfway down.
I rushed inside, and straight over to another fire, after 10 minutes I was still shaking violently and made it to the bar to order a coffee, which was extremely difficult to drink. Back at the fire, I took my phone out and established that the Samuels, Jo and Adam were at the cafe where I was previously. They were now in trouble too and I was extremely concerned for them, as I was still shaking violently, and struggling to type on the phone.
It’s worth a read of the messages – there was even talk of them needing a rescue car. Eventually I managed to walk to the bar again for another cup of hot chocolate and a cake. Still shaking I went back to the fire and managed to drink and eat. This same fire had once given me warmth before many years ago, but that’s another story that some will remember. Anyway, I had been there about an hour now, and stopped shaking.
Wishing the others well, and again expressing my concern. I made my way the next 1000 meters of descent. This went ok as it was probably 10 degrees now and the rain had stopped. I dashed straight into the hotel for a long hot shower.
After the others had bought hoodies in the cafe shop, got some disposable gloves which they put on their feet as overshoes, and bought a few bin liners, they all set off, and made it back to the hotel in one hit. I think we were all very lucky, and glad everyone made it back safe.
I’m already looking forward to next year and more adventures. And a big thanks to all for making it a great trip.
Ron Crawley (Collarbone)
Editor’s footnote. Well done to Ron for making this perilous adventure come to life in print. Never let it be said that the Crests aren’t intrepid. Look out for the Hollywood film version.
